New report sheds light on CO2 training

The GUIDE to Natural Refrigerants Training in Europe 2017 demonstrates that training is readily available.

A perceived lack of training among technicians and installers is often cited as a barrier to wider uptake of CO2-based HVAC&R technologies. But a new report published yesterday shows that training is in fact readily available for those who need it.

Packed full of exclusive interviews, industry surveys and data analysis, the GUIDE to Natural Refrigerants Training in Europe – produced by the market development department at shecco– is the most comprehensive investigation of Europe’s training landscape to date.

The GUIDE analyses survey responses and opinions from over 340 participants on a range of topics, including:

Major trends in training on CO2 in Europe.

Figures for participation in training courses and growth prospects.

Analysis of barriers and drivers of natural refrigerants training in Europe.

Comparative analysis of supply and demand for training in Europe.

Survey participants identified the need to comply with legislative requirements at global, regional and national level as one of the biggest drivers of natural refrigerants training uptake. The cost of investing in training – both in terms of attending and offering courses – was singled out as the biggest barrier, closely followed by a perceived lack of available facilities in some parts of Europe.

Manufacturers, universities and government can all play a role in addressing this. “Many local associations are setting up training courses in CO2 applications […], and this has to be implemented more and more. Actually the government should support these trends in order to put professionals in the position to handle the new refrigerants safely,” says Giovanni Dorin, marketing manager at compressor manufacturer Dorin.

Among the GUIDE’s highlights is a directory of natural refrigerants training currently on offer in Europe. The directory matches readers to the most suitable training providers, from a list of almost 200 located throughout Europe, according to their needs.

From state-of-the-art training centres provided by companies like Carrier and Bitzer to EU-funded projects and free online resources, the GUIDE is a one-stop shop for all training initiatives that support the development of natural refrigerants.

“CO2, in particular, is clearly a major area of development for the future. Bitzer is supporting this with its focused carbon dioxide training course, based at the company’s headquarters in Germany,” says Kevin Glass, Bitzer’s UK managing director.

The industry survey conducted for the GUIDE found that 98% of natural refrigerant training providers offer theoretical training, and 80% offer practical training. 82% of them offer CO2 training.

With a diverse range of training options already out there, Advansor Managing Director Kim G. Christensen believes that motivated people will have no trouble finding the course they need. “The story that there isn’t enough CO2 training in Europe is a lie,” he says.